Chow dumps DC

The aftermath of the University of Hawaii’s 1-11 football season is the subtraction of two defensive coaches.

UH coach Norm Chow announced defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer and linebackers coach Tony Tuioti will not be retained for the 2014 season.

Similar to other assistant coaches at UH, Kaumeyer and Tuioti were on one-year contracts. They will be paid through the remainder of their contracts, which expire on March 31.

Kaumeyer is the third coordinator to depart the program during Chow’s two-year tenure.

Offensive coordinator Tommy Lee retired following the 2012 season. Aaron Price, who was hired as Lee’s successor in February, was fired two days before the start of training camp in August. Chow served as offensive coordinator this season, while graduate assistant Jordan Wynn had a role in play-calling.

"This is a cruel and difficult profession," Chow said in a news release. "Thom and Tony are friends of mine, and good coaches, and good men who worked extremely hard these last two years. I thank them, and wish them well as we all move forward."

Contacted by the Star-Advertiser, Chow, his voice reduced to a quiver, declined further public comment.

"I just want the players, coaches and fans to know that I appreciate the opportunity to coach at the University of Hawaii," Kaumeyer said. "I’ve really enjoyed living here in a community and being a part of the Warrior family."

Soon after being hired as head coach in December 2011, Chow targeted Kaumeyer, who had been an assistant coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

It was at a dinner at a Japanese restaurant in Los Angeles that Kaumeyer agreed to coach UH’s defense.

Kaumeyer switched from a four-across zone defense to an aggressive man-to-man scheme in 2012. UH finished 41st nationally in total defense, allowing 372.92 yards per game, despite losing several key defensive linemen. For most of that season, defensive end Beau Yap was at defensive tackle and 5-foot-9, 260-pound Kaeo Alo was in the rotation.

This season, the Rainbow Warriors missed tackles early, then regressed in several areas. In the final two games, they relinquished 101 points. The Warriors finished 115th in total defense (494.7 yards per game, up 122.5 yards from 2012) and 113th in scoring defense (38.8 points).

Chow and Kaumeyer met on Tuesday morning, at which time it was decided to part ways. Kaumeyer was UH’s highest-paid assistant coach, earning an estimated $250,000 annually.

Tuioti’s base pay was believed to be less than $100,000.

Tuioti is a former defensive tackle whose UH career ran through the 1999 season.

Tuioti, who earned two master’s degrees at UH, was Kalaheo High’s head coach from 2003 through ’05. He was defensive coordinator at Las Vegas’ Silverado High in 2007.

In 2008, Greg McMackin’s first year as UH head coach, Tuioti returned to his alma mater as director of player personnel, a title that translated to recruiting coordinator.

In 2010, he was promoted to defensive line coach. After McMackin’s forced retirement following the 2011 season, Tuioti was the only assistant coach retained by Chow. He was assigned to coach linebackers.

Tuioti was a prolific recruiter under McMackin, landing defensive end Tavita Woodard, cornerback Mike Edwards, safety John Hardy-Tuliau, receiver Bubba Poueu-Luna and punter/punt returner/slotback Scott Harding.

But Tuioti had a diminished recruiting role the past two seasons.

UH announced "an immediate search" will begin to fill the coaching vacancies on defense as well as the offensive coordinator’s position.